Pet store animals do not come from registered breeders which means that the puppies come from "commercial breeders", "puppy mills" and "back yard breeders" who's goals are to produce as many puppies as possible with minimal cost to and maximum financial gain for the operator.

Pets are kept in small cages, they're not socialized and they generally have health problems.

These stores also encourage impusle buying by individuals  who are not necessarily prepared or able to take on the challenges of owning a pet.

One of the pet stores I visited here in Woodstock was still selling cats and dogs from non rescue groups- it seems all the other pet stores chose to stop selling pets.  I personally have been in this store on numerous occassions and was apauled at the condition of the store and the animals for sale in it.  I have reported this abuse to the OSPCA and yet the store remains open.  On one visit I met the store owner who confessed that this shop had had a number of complaints filed with the OSPCA who inspected the shop frequently.  Frequently is a very subjective word and the OSPCA would not release the history of complaints or inspections but with two OSPCA inspectors cover both Oxford and Elgin Counties you can be certain that the inspection of this store is not frequent enough to ensure the proper care of these animals.

On October 6th at 1:24 p.m. I visited the store and witnessed two white dogs with back legs urine stained fur as high as the hocks.  Through my experience in showing cattle in shows and bredding auctions it was my job to prepare the animal for showing.  This urine stained lower leg area was the most difficult to clean as it was a result of extended periods of time being in dirty pens.  This in dogs would indicate a back yard breeding or puppy mill operation.  Given the lack of effective response by the local chapter of the OSPCA I have registered a complaint with the provincial devision of the OSPCA.  This cannot be allowed to continue and action must be taken against this establishment.  With the passing of a bylaw restricting the sale of pets from non-registered rescue groups this pet store would no longer be able to sell dogs from their suppliers.

Toronto City Council passed a similar bylaw in 2011 and although this legialstion has not yet reached Woodstock there is an opportunity for our city to move ahead, as Toronto, Mississauga and other communities have in Canada.

Sincerely,

Al Garland